Joe Root has today been named as the successor to Alastair Cook and becomes the new England Test captain.
As most observers would have expected Joe Root is the new England Test captain. There had been speculation over Cook's replacement since he announced he was stepping down last week until Root was confirmed this morning.
Root, as well as being talked about as the best test batsman in the world along with Virat Kohli, has been the vice captain of England's Test side since 2015. So, he was always the logical and most likely choice.
"It is a huge honour to be given the Test captaincy," said Root, who will be the 80th man to lead the country in Test matches. "I feel privileged, humbled and very excited."
Other senior players in the England side were said to be in the frame, with Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow all with good cases to lead the national team. Broad has captained England at Twenty20 level before, Stokes is one of the natural leaders in the team and Bairstow is also liked in the dressing room and now a main-stay in the XI.
Despite not having any captaincy experience at county level, Root was the overwhelming favourite for the job at 1/50 and it is generally felt the right decision has been made by the ECB
England's next Test is not until July, against South Africa at Lord's, which gives Root plenty of time to settle into the role. After that and a visit of the West Indies, he will lead England to Australia for the defence of the Ashes.
